***** Joe’s American Bar & Grill, (The Mall at Wellington Green) 10300 West Forest Boulevard, Wellington, Florida 33414, (561) 798-7433.

Got a rare bird for you…an “American Style Grill” that has delicious food, reasonable prices, great decor, excellent service—Joe’s American Bar & Grill located in The Mall at Wellington Green—a few feet from the food-court.

Just so you know, Joe’s is a “chain operation” with a handful of locations in CT, MA, NH, NJ, RI—the Wellington joint is its only Florida location. You can check menu/prices/locations at www.joesamerican.com.

The other day I did lunch at Joe’s…mac & cheese ($7.99), cobb salad (12.75), plain wood-fired pizza ($9.99), 1/2lb hamburger w/fries ($8.95), babyback bbq ribs w/fries & cole slaw (1/2 rack $13.50–full rack $17.99)—I am telling you, whoever is “running” Joe’s has the game figured-out—the food was delicious. Assuming you haven’t checked the lunch-dinner “menus” yet, Joe’s which has a full bar–dark wood decor has loads of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, meat-seafood-chicken entrees, desserts.

Over the years, I have eaten in my fair share of– sports-bars, American grills, diners, steakhouses down here in South Florida…I am telling you, Joe’s is one of the best joints that I have tried. Another beautiful thing about Joe’s, it’s super casual so your tee shirt/shorts’ ensemble will work there day or night.

Like I said before, Joe’s is located in a mall–that said, when the mall is closed, there is a separate entrance that allows Joe’s to keep different hours than the mall schedule. There is also an outside patio, so if that’s your game, Joe’s has you covered.

This joint is a winner. If TGI Friday’s, Houston’s, J. Alexander’s, Ruby Tuesday, “You Name In Sports Bar” are some of your haunts, I think that you will really enjoy Joe’s American.

Joe’s American Bar & Grill is open 7 says a week for lunch 11am-4pm and dinner 4pm-11pm.

***** Johnny G’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, 12247 Sheridan Street, Cooper City, Florida 33026 (954) 437-1333.

For you Cooper City folks, I got…”red sauce- mom & pop” Italian joint— Johnny G’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzera. Nothing fancy here. Good food–Reasonable prices.

I recently did dinner at Johnny G’s, “trying” penne alla vodka ($13), shrimp scampi ($13.75), baked cheese ravioli ($11), large plain pizza ($14.50), veal parmigiana ($16)…you know the South Florida drill—soup or salad, garlic rolls, entree, side of pasta…Not bad at all. Is this the best “mom & pop” stuff that I have eaten? Nope…but it’s good and afterall–this is just a neighborhood joint. To be perfectly honest with you, including the garlic rolls, nothing in particular was a homerun item…but on the other hand, I enjoyed all of the dishes.

You can check www.JohnnyGs.net for menu/prices.

Johnny G’s is open Monday-Thursday 11am-9:30pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm, Sunday 2;30pm-9pm.

***** Lock Stock and Barrel, 3208 Forest Hills Boulevard, Palm Springs, Florida 33406 (561) 649-4545.

Lock Stock and Barrel reminds me of “The Three Bears”…not too hot, not too cold, but just right… best way to explain Lock Stock– an “American Style Grill” that fills the niche between upscale steakhouse & neighborhood non-chain sports bar. Now that you are totally confused, check www.lockstockandbarrelrestaurant.com for menu/prices/photos which might clarify matters a bit. Just so we are straight, absolutely nothing fancy here. Your tee shirt-short ensemble will work well in this joint.

I recently did dinner. I really liked the food and casual-pleasant service. That said… I found the menu a bit on the skimpy side in the selection department. For sure, you’ll find “something” to eat, but a handful of additions to the appetizer and entree columns wouldn’t hurt.

My outing netted me, almondine filet of sole ($23.95), 23oz porterhouse steak ($27.95), broiled sea scallops ($17.95), NY strip steak (23.95)…entrees come with potato or rice and vegetable. Whoever (or is it whomever? whatever?) is cooking- “knows” exactly what he-she is doing.

Lock Stock and Barrel does lunch Monday-Friday 11am-3pm and dinner 7-days a week 4pm-9pm.

***** Di Piazza Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, 1408 West 49th Street, Hialeah, Florida 33012 (305) 558-8412.

Yesterday’s mission, to find a really good “red sauce–mom & pop” Italian joint in a non-descript strip center in South Florida. Figured, what the heck…just got some $2.65 gas in Deerfield, so I made a run down to Hialeah…based on the recommendation of a really pleasant clerk that I had met at Books A Million last Sunday afternoon at Sawgrass Mills…by the way, Bloomingdales later this month is taking Books’ location and Books is moving to a much smaller spot in the mall.

Di Piazza Pizzera is a “red sauce–mom & pop” Italian joint located in Hialeah…by the way, it is in a non-descript strip center. This joint’s menu has the full boat of appetizers, pastas, calzones, subs, pizzas, meat-seafood-chicken entrees.

To make this story short, that Books A Million clerk really hit the ball out of the park…one of the best plain pizzas (large $14.75) that I’ve had down here in South Florida…delicious sweet sauce, crispy-thin crust, delicious cheese, oil perfectly dripped out when a slice was pointed–down. Now for the kicker here– the veal parmigiana ($15.25), shrimp scampi ($16.50), chicken marsala ($15.25), penne alfredo ($14.25) were delicious…nothing gourmet here (whatever “gourmet” means)—but as good as most of the “better” mom & pop joints that I frequent. Before I forget, real good garlic rolls…Only- got one big problem with Di Piazza, it’s too far from my home…

Di Piazza is a winner. Real good food. Pizza joint prices. Big portions.

Di Piazza is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10:30pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-11:30pm.

Authentic Brooklyn Pizza, 1367 West Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33486 (561) 368-1168.

On July 8, 2010 Jeff Eats got the following email…

“Hi Jeff, I was hoping I could get u 2 do a review? I have reviews from worstpizza.com, Urbanspoon, Boca Magazine, we where on channel 12 news and many others. If u have any questions u can call me Alan 305-747-6330.”

About an hour ago, I gave “mom & pop–red sauce” pizza joint, Authentic Brooklyn Pizza a shot. Authentic’s menu is loaded and I do mean loaded with all kinds of special pizza combinations. In addition there are calzones, soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas, meat-seafood-chicken entrees. When I arrived, the restaurant was busy with 6 booths filled and my table for 2. As I waited for my large plain pizza to arrive, I “noticed” some real- nice looking subs, calzones and pizzas coming out of the kitchen.

Based on the extensive menu, the fact that the joint was busy, the dynamite review that my pals at www.worstpizza.com had given this joint’s pizza and the “visual”— I thought that I would soon be devouring some outrageously good pizza…but au contraire—the pizza that I got was nothing special. The sauce was kinda bland–the crust wasn’t crispy and was flakey like a croissant.

Based on the pizza “alone”- I wouldn’t be running back to this joint so fast.

As I mentioned, prior to my sojourn to Authentic Brooklyn Pizza–I did some checking and took a look at www.worstpizza.com…I also checked-out Urbanspoon and Boca Raton Magazine and the “reviews” on these sites were good for this joint.

So it only goes to show, “different strokes for different folks.” Just maybe I caught an “off day”…but that’s the way this review game is played.

Alan, (the owner): For now, that’s the best I can do for you in the review department. Feel free to write- me and tell me what “i might be missing.”

***** Subs On The Run, 2801 Northwest 7th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33127, (305) 638-4646.

Got a terrific “sub shop” for you…Subs On The Run in Miami. Order at the counter/pickup at the counter/indoor seating.

Huge menu of hot-cold subs which come in two sizes…6″ and 12″. Recently did a handful of 6 inchers…chicken salad ($3.99), chicken fajitas ($4.85), tuna ($3.99), steak & onions ($4.49).

Subs On the Run “makes” some of the best subs that I’ve eaten. Great bread, terrific food, huge portions, lovely counter-people. In addition to the “run of the mill subs’ selection, this joint has a menu of breakfast subs and burger subs. For the ladies out there, Subs On The Run also has a handful of salads, so if bread ain’t your game, you’ll be just fine.

Subs On The Run is a winner.

The joint is open Monday-Friday 7am-7pm, Saturday 8am-5pm, closed on Sunday.

***** CLASSIC GOLD MUSIC AWARDS *****

If you like 1960s-1980s music, I got an upcoming event that you might like to attend…CLASSIC GOLD MUSIC AWARDS, which will be held August 27-August 30, 2010 at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, Florida 33314 (954) 866-502-9529.

At this point of the discussion, I would suggest that you go to www.classicgoldmusic.com for info/tickets.

From what I understand, this 4-day charitable event will feature Rock N Roll workshops, seminars, parties, celebrity dinner-concert…with artists such as– Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals, Larry Hoppen of Orleans, ConFunkShun, Bar-Kays.

I just heard about this event…and I’m getting my “facts” together…but it sure looks like the Hard Rock for 4-days in late August is going to be a happening place—for you rockers out there.

You do your homework and I’ll do mine…I’ll be back to “talk” about this event later.

***** Yogurtland, 2806 University Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33056, (954) 354-0611.

When it rains, I guess it pours…one cupcake joint opens, another cupcake joint opens…and another and another and another…one self-serve yogurt joint opens, another self-serve yogurt joint opens—

Yogurtland is a “self serve” yogurt chain. Check www.yogurt-land.com for flavors/locations…for right now–for our purposes, there is a Yogurtland in Coral Springs, another in Pembroke Pines, another in Winter Park…but rest assured, in the coming months, many-more Yogurtlands will be rolled out.

I tried the Yogurtland in Coral Springs 3- Saturdays ago. I got there about 3pm and there must have been 30-35 people in the store getting yogurt. There were also 10-15 sitting outside eating yogurt…I “watched” the store for over 30 minutes and the folks just kept coming in…The way it works, you get a big cup—fill it with any combination of yogurt flavors (there are 16 daily rotating ones) and toppings—fruit, candy, nuts…get the cup weighed and pay 30 cents an ounce.

I am not a yogurt-fan…that said, I tried, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and this-yogurt was one of the best that I have had. I will tell you, I also liked the “look” of the store…which you can check at Yogurtland’s website.

Personally, I think that this self-serve yogurt stuff will prove to be a huge fad…when this particular “game of musical chairs” ends- who knows, but I’ll bet you a green-tea yogurt, that it will eventually end.

Anyway…in the meantime, the bet here is that in the not to distant future, a self-serve yogurt joint will be coming to your neighborhood…you do remember video stores, don’t you? Same idea.

If yogurt is your game, I think that you will really enjoy Yogurtland. This chain which currently has spots in 8-states has the formula worked out real good.

Yogurtland is open 7-days a week 11am-11pm.

***** Angelo’s Pizza & Pasta, 1923 Cordova Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316, (954) 832-9669.

Angelo’s Pizza & Pasta is one of the better “red sauce” pizza joints that I have eaten in–down here in old South Florida. Now you guys know, that over the years, to say the least–I’ve made the rounds…so to call Angelo’s one of the better ones– is quite a compliment.

Recently did dinner, “trying”…pizza (16” large plain–$12.95), veal parmigiana ($13.50), chicken piccata ($13.50), sausage & peppers ($12.50), lasagna ($12.50)…I’m telling you, give or take a handful, I can’t think of too many red-saucers that are better. By the way, Angelo’s makes GARLIC KNOTS that are absolutely off the chart…personally, I could eat 9 maybe 11 of them with a quart of ice cold Coke and call it a day…the perfect parmesan-oil combination.

For menu/prices you can check www.angelospizzapasta.com.

Angelo’s is open 7 days a week 11am-11pm.

***** Copper Canyon Grill, 2006 Northwest Executive Center, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 (561) 893-8838.

Back on September 12, 2009 I did a writeup on Copper Canyon…at that time, Copper was a new “American Style” restaurant which had just opened in Boca Raton. If you like, you can read or re-read that review at your leisure…suffice it to say, old Jeff Eats found Copper Canyon to be a total disaster…horrendous food and piss poor service.

Now, let’s fast forward to April, 2010…to make a long story short, I got a call from Mike “Bucky” Buckner who use to own Bucky’s BBQ (which use to be one of my favorite casual-bbq ribs restaurants in all of South Florida–why Bucky’s is no longer in business is a whole other story, but the quality of the food and service was never an issue at this joint…) in Boca Raton, which served outstanding bbq beef ribs–bbq pork ribs–bbq chicken–burgers–salads–sides. In a nutshell, Bucky told me that he had recently been made Copper Canyon’s GM.. was revamping its menu and had “improved” the food and service. Bucky asked me to “come by for dinner” and give Copper Canyon another shot.

A few weeks ago, my wife and a couple of friends took Bucky up on his offer. Just so you know, our meal was “comped”…

Here’s what I found…Decor-wise, Copper Canyon looks exactly as it did, the first time I was there. Think–Houston’s and you’ll know what the joint looks like. I really don’t recall the “exact” original menu…but the new one has a “fair” selection of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, meat-seafood-chicken entrees. You can check www.ccgrill.com for menu/prices—Personally, I think that the current menu is way too-light in the selection department…not enough appetizers or sandwiches to choose from. Now don’t get me wrong, no-one is going to starve here, but the selection is kind-a on the lame side. Hopefully, Bucky isn’t done “revamping” the menu!

Now for the food…I “sampled” bbq beef ribs, St. Louis bbq ribs, bacon cheeseburger, rotiserrie chicken, crab-cakes, french fries, macaroni & cheese, corn bread, caesar salad. Apparently– Bucky has taken-full control of the kitchen, because the food—is now quite good. Just a word to the wise, Bucky’s ” beef ribs” often have what I call a zing–to them, so if zing ain’t your style, mention to your waiter-waitress that you prefer a mild sauce.

On the service front…we had a terrific, attentive waiter. I will tell you, I watched “this guy” handle some other tables and he was also terrific-attentive with them…just in case Bucky had asked him to pay special attention to my group.

Let’s call Copper Canyon a work-in-progess. There is absolutely no question in my mind, that if Copper Canyon’s owners let Bucky RUN this joint his way, they will have a successful-homerun restaurant. Mike “Bucky Buckner (no relation to the Red Sox player who helped my New York Mets win the 1986 World Series) knows exactly how to please the folks of South Florida.

Cliche time…it is now safe to get back in the water.

Copper Canyon is open Sunday-Thursday 11am-10:05pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11:05pm.